Portable sectional ironing board



March '25, 1952 A. P. LANTZ PORTABLE SECTIONAL IRONING BOARD 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 Filed Jan. 8, 1947 izwagn 4 ALPHA PRRY LANTZ.

March 1952 A. P. LANTZ PORTABLE SECTIONAL IRONING BOARD 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 Filed Jan. 8, 1947 llllllllllml lye |||||l||llllllllllllllllvllllIIIYYIII IIIII l.

ALPHA PERRY LVANTVZ Patented Mar. 25, 1952 PORTABLE SECTIONAL IRONING BOARD Alpha Perry Lantz, Washington, D. 0.

Application January 8, 1947, Serial No. 720,813

Claims.

This invention relates to an improved portable sectional ironing board and has for its object the provision of such a board particularly designed for folding its sections upon themselves to bring them into superimposed relationship enabling compactness and of a size suitable for accommodation and carrying in a suitcase or similar relatively small package.

In a companion case, Serial No. 719,799, flied January 2, 1947, now Patent No. 2,558,141 the fundamental invention has been disclosed, the preferred embodiment there being means enabling the folding of the outer section under an inner section, the preferred embodiment in the present instance incorporating novel means enabling the folding of the outer section of the board over on top of the board to lie flat upon the inner section thereof.

The instant form or embodiment of the invention comprises the inner and outer sections adapted in use to have their upper or ironing surfaces flush, or in a common plane, as is quite necessary in an ironing operation, the two sections being connected by a hinging mechanism functioning, when the board is extended, to have the flush upper surfaces, as stated, but also enabling the complete folding back of the outer section onto the inner section to lie parallel with each other when in nested or stored condition.

The present invention also includes embodiments of improved means, of simple and practical character for attaching the ironing board to a convenient piece of furniture when desired for use.

The embodiments of the invention referred to are illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming part hereof and the details in the constructions will be apparent from an inspection thereof together with the detailed description hereinafter contained.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of the ironing board with its sections extended as in ironing operation.

Figure 2 is an edge view of the same.

Figure 3 is a central longitudinal section through the board when folded into compact form.

' Figure 4 is a transverse section on the line 44 of Figure 1 looking to the left.

Figure 5 is a similar view of the under or inthrough the complete board in its unfolded or extended position.

Figure 7 is a bottom view of the ironing board as illustrated in Figure 1.

Figure 8 is a central longitudinal section of Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a bottom view of a slightly modified form of attaching means.

Figure 10 is a transverse sectional view on the line Iii0 of Figure 9.

Referring more specifically to the drawings wherein like reference numerals denote the same parts in the respective views, II and I2 designate the two sections of the ironing board which, when in their unfolded or extended relationship have their upper surfaces flush or in a common plane, and contoured to present a combined shape for use after the fashion of a customary ironing board.

The section I I has an end extension l3 of considerable length and extends entirely across the section, the same being depresed as at I4 for a depth equal to the thickness of the board 12 to provide a seat for the meeting end whereby the operating surfaces of the sections II and 12 will be in a common plane when being ironed upon.

These sections H and I2, and other parts of the ironing board, will be formed of some light material, such as metal, aluminum, or plastics, easily carried and preserved against rust, staining or the-like.

When not in use, and to enable storage or carrying of the board from place-to-place in travel, the sections 1 l and 12 are hinged together as will now be pointed out.

It is to be noted that the outer section I2 has a surrounding depending flange [5 to strengthen the same and at the inner ends to receive the end 13 of the section II; and that the latter (the section ll) hasa corresponding depending flange I6 surrounding the side edges and the inner end thereof with inwardly turned lower portions or flanges H to further strengthen said section. The flanges N5 of the side edges of section II are of less depth than the flange iii of the end (see Figure 5). The outer end of the section II, as at I8 is oppositely'depressed inwardly to receive the end portions of the flange IS on the section I'Zso that the outer faces of the meeting flanges will be smooth or flush to avoid projecting edges to catch upon the apron or clothes of the operator.

Opposite ends 20 of a hinge rod 2|, extending across and located beneath the section II, project outwardly and have pivotal bearing in the vertical portions of the flanges l6, spacing sleeves l9 through which said ends 20 pass to said wall, abutting the inner faces of the flanges and offset U-shaped hinge portions 22 to prevent objectionable endwise play. The offset U-shaped hinge portions 22 pass through the free ends 23 of companion hinge members 24 in the form of integral extensions from the section [2 passed around the offset portions 22 and riveted at their return ends to the section l2 at 25. The hinge members 24 while extending from the surface of the section l2 are dipped sufliciently near their pivoted ends as at 26 to pass through accommodating openings 21 in the section H, to underlie and abut thetop of the section II when the sections are unfolded and extended in ironing position (Figure 6), said openings 21 being extended outwardly to permit passage of the hinge ends 23 and ofisets 22 of the pivot rod in an upward direction to enable folding of the outer section l2 back flat upon the inner section H (Figure 3), when the board is not in use and is to be stored or carried in a suitcase or package.

The portions of the side flanges N5, of the section I I, are widened downwardly as at 28 to afford suiflcient metal and corresponding strength at the pivoted end portions 23 of the rod 2! therewith.

The sectional, foldable feature of the ironing board, as above described, will not be claimed herein inasmuch as. the same is made the subject matter of a cO-pending divisional application.

This divisional application was filed April 5, 1948, andbears Serial No. 19,077.

Of course, the inner section II of the board must be provided with the means for supporting the same with the outer section when in ironing position and for this purpose a novel adjustable attaching means is associated with the section II, designed for enabling the board to be rested upon and supported by a convenient drawer or the like of furniture usually at hand in hotel rooms, apartments and the like. As is well-known, an ordinary desk, for example, has a drawer with a front wall of substantial thickness at the top affording a flat upper edge on which the ironing board may be supported when the drawer is withdrawn for that purpose, and above the drawer there is a bridge piece behind which the ironing board may be hooked or anchored when the board is supported in operative position on the front wall of the drawer as stated.

With this in view the inner section II for a portion of its inner end has its horizontalflanges l'l extended inwardly for a substantial distance as at 29 and. may be offset at 3! or not as desired, to provide longitudinal ways 30 for the shanks 36 of. hooks 32 adapted to be engaged in rear of the saidbridge piece or its equivalent, the hooks having pivoted upwardly extending parts 33 adapted whennot in use to fold down in parallel relation to the upper surface of the section II (Figures 1 and 2) and when in use to be swung upwardly into vertical position to constitute extensions of the hooks 32 (Figures 3, 6 and 8) to be engaged behind the bridge piece as will be obvious.

The hooks. 32 and their shanks are extended from the section II in a plane near the bottom edgeof the section, depressed portions 34 of the shanks being provided for such purpose so that the board wnen supported on the edge of the drawer will be positioned in a horizontal plane. The depressed portions 34 of the shanks 36 will pass under the bridge piece referred to which is usually in approximately the same horizontal plane .as the. edge. of the drawer. Thedepressed portions 340i the shanks pass inwardly through appropriate apertures 35 in the. inner end wall .4 of the flange 16 of the section II, immediately above the horizontal or terminal flange portion l1 thereof. The outermost ends of the shanks 36, that the higher portions thereof (see Figure 6) are enlarged transversely as indicated at 36 to confine said ends in the spaces intermediate the ironing face or top of the section II and the flanges 29, between which latter the shank portions 36 work.

In each instance, welded or otherwise secured at 3'! to the rise 38, between the depressed portion 34 and the elevated outer ends of the shanks 36, is an upwardly tending spring 39 provided with a pull ring 49 to cause the spring to be drawn downwardly to release the offsets or shoulders 4| on the free end of the spring from engagement behind depending lugs or stops 42 depending from the flanges 29 when the shanks and hooks are being disengaged for longitudinal adjustment, it being observed that there are two series of these depending lugs or stops, in each instance, to be automatically engaged by the upwardly springing shoulder portions 4i when the adjustment has been effected as desired, and the parts held in adjusted position.

In Figures 9 and 10 a slightly different or modified construction is illustrated wherein the ways 43 are formed as extensions of the reinforcing flanges t! of the board section II, which ways consist of offset portions 45 having guides 44 stamped therefrom forming chambers to receive the outer ends of the shank portions 36 of the hooks. These guides 44 contact the under side of section H, as at 55. Also stamped from the offset portions :35 are the stop lugs 48 which are engaged by spring catches 49 carried by the hook shanks to retain the hooks in adjusted position. In order to add rigidity to the ways 43 the edge portions of the offset portions 45 are welded to the underside of section I l, as at 5| and 46 (Figure 10).

The same is true of the offset portions 52 and 53 in the first-mentioned form of device illustrated in the first series of figures of the drawings (see Figure '7) which flanges 52 and 58 are Welded or otherwise secured to the top of the] section I I in the embodiment therein illustrated. Thus, in either embodiment of the invention, a very rigid guiding structure and stop adjustment for the hooks and their shanks, is constituted. Suitable pads of rubber or other material, designated at 59 may be carried on the relatively wide portions of side flanges I! to rest upon the top of the drawer in protecting the same against scratching or marring the furniture, and sim ilar rubber pads or coverings 51 and 58 may be used to cover the upper faces of the inner corners and end of the section I l to similarly protect the furniture when the ironing board is carelessly being inserted in the drawer opening from over the top of the drawer and hooked behind the bridge piece.

I claim:

1. A portable ironing board and means for tem-s porarily attaching the same to a supporting article of furniture, comprising a board having side edges reinforced by flanges extending downwardly and inwardly of the board, said inwardly extending flanges being increased in width adjacent one end of the board and having guide parts struck upwardly to the bottom of the board to provide shallow guide chambers beneath said board, hooks for attaching the board to the article of furniture provided with shanks-passing through guide openings inthe downwardly and inwardly extending reinforcing flanges of the board end, said shanks having portions lying approximately in the same plane as the lower edges of the board enlarged end portions slidably received in said chambers and intermediate portions angularly disposed with reference to the other named portions of the shanks, and latch means carried by the shanks to hold the hooks in adjusted position. f

2. A portable ironing board and means for temporarily attaching the same to a supporting article of furniture, comprising a board having side edges and an end reinforced by flanges extending downwardly and inwardly of the board, said inwardly extending flanges of the side edges having offset portions increased in width adjacent said end of the board and having guide parts struck upwardly to the bottom of the board to provide shallow guide chambers beneath said board, said portions of the flanges having the increased width being provided with longitudinally extending slots therein, hooks for attaching the board to the supporting article of furniture haj'ving shanks passing through guide openings in the downwardly and inwardly extending reinforcing flanges of the board end, said shanks having portions lying approximately in the same plane as the lower edges of the board, enlarged end portions slidably received in said chambers and intermediatte portions angularly disposed with reference to the other named portions ogfJ-theshanks, said intermediate portions passing through said slots, and latch means carriedfby said shanks to hold the hooks in adjusted position.

3. A portable ironing board and means for temporarily attaching the same to a,supporting1 article of furniture, comprising a board havingside edges and an end reinforced by flanges extending downwardly and inwardly of the board, said inwardly extending flanges of the side edges having offset portions increased in width adjacent said end of the board and having guide parts struck upwardly to the bottom of the board to provide shallow guide chambers beneath said board, said portions of the flanges having the increased width being provided with longitudinally extending slots therein, the downwardly andjin- =wardly extending reinforcing flanges of the board end being of greater depth than like flanges of the side edges and provided with guide openings adjacent to the lower edge, hooks for attaching the board to the supporting article of furniture having shanks passing through the guide openings, said shanks having portions lying approximately in the same plane as the lower edges of the board, enlarged end portions slidably received in said chambers and intermediate portions angularly disposed with reference to the other named portions of the shanks, said intermediate portions passing through said slots, said hooks being vertically positioned and pivotally "connected to the end portions of the shanks to swing toward the board whereby said hooks may lie parallel with the board when not in use, said hooks having downwardly directed extensions which engage the end portions of the shanks to prevent said hooks from swinging in a direction away from said board when in use, and latching means carried by said shanks to hold the hooks in adjusted position.

4. A portable ironing board and means for temporarily attaching the same toa supporting article of furniture, comprising a board having side edges and an end reinforced by flanges extending downwardly and inwardly of the board, said inwardly extending flanges of the side edges having offset portions increased in width adjacent said end of the board and having guide parts struck upwardly to the bottom of the board to provide shallow guide chambers beneath said board, said portions of the flanges having the increased width being provided with longitudinally extending slots therein, latch'lugs adjacent said slots, the downwardly and inwardly extending reinforcing flange of the board end being of greater depth than like flanges of the side edges and provided with guide openings adjacent to the lower edge, hooks for attaching the board to the supporting article of furniture having shanks passing through the guide openings, said shanks having portions lying approximately in the same plane as the lower-edges of the board, enlarged end portions slidably received in said chambers and intermediate portions angularly disposed with reference to the other named portions of the shanks, said intermediate portions passing through said slots, said hooks being vertically positioned and pivotally connected to the end portions of the shanks to swing toward the board whereby said hooks may lie parallel with the board when not in use, said hooks having downwardly directed extensions which enage the end portions of the shanks to prevent said hooks from swinging in a direction away from said board when in use, and latching means carried by said shanks engaging said lugs to hold the hooks in adjusted position.

5. A portable ironing board and means for temporarily attaching the same to a supporting article of furniture, comprising a board having side edges and an end reinforced by flanges extending downwardly and inwardly of the board, said inwardly extending flanges of the side edges having portions increased in width adjacent said end of the board and having guide parts struck upwardly to the bottom of the board to provide shallow guide chambers beneath said board, said portions of the inwardly extending flanges having the increased width being provided with Iangitudinally extending slots, latch lugs adjacent said slots, hooks for attaching the board to the supporting article of furniture having shanks passing through openings in the downwardly and inwardly extending reinforcing flanges of the board end, said shanks having portions lying approximately in the same plane as the lower edges of the board, enlarged end portions slidably received in said chambers and intermediate portions angularly disposed with reference to the other named portions of the shanks, said intermediate portions passing through said slots. and latches carried by said shanks to engage the latch lugs.

ALPHA PERRY LANTZ.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name a Date 1,147,538 Newman July 20, 1915 1,266,993 Romans May 21, 1918 1,567,450 Morrison et a1 Dec. 29, 1925 1,595,628 Small Aug. 10, 1926 1,796,714 James Mar. 17, 1931 2,067,661 Ferrelle Jan. 12, 1937 2,098,157 Nurenberg Nov. 2, 1937 2,115,323 Wuest Apr. 26, 1938 

